Fitton was the former senior officer, first vice president of First National Bank and bank director. In 1968, he co-chaired a capital campaign to establish the first two Great Miami Valley YMCA branches — the Hamilton West and Fairfield branches — which opened in August of 1970, according to Paul Otten, chairman of the YMCA’s Board of Trustees.
“We at the YMCA are deeply saddened at the passing of Vaden Fitton,” Otten said. “Vaden once stated in a YMCA Campaign brochure, ‘When we say community, we mean it in the broadest sense. The ‘Y’ is an asset that can be shared by all … The qualities of leadership and pride that grow with the individual ‘Y’ members are certainly invaluable factors in the future of this area and the entire country.’ “
Vaden served on the YMCA’s Board of Trustees from 1962-1982 and remained an Honorary Board member until his death.
The Hamilton West YMCA was renamed the Don W. and Nannie V. Fitton Family YMCA in 2003, after Fitton’s parents, recognizing the family for their five generations of leadership and dedication to the mission of the YMCA, according to Otten.
Kenny Craig, president and CEO of the Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, called Fitton a great leader in the community.
“For many years, Mr. Fitton was an extremely valuable leader in the community and supporter of the Chamber, even in his retirement years,” Craig said. “Everyone I have ever known only had good things to say about him. He was so pleasant to be around. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.”
Fitton’s philanthropic efforts also touched the Hamilton Community Foundation.
“He was a kind and generous community leader who was supportive of many organizations and causes,” said John Guidugli, president and CEO of the Hamilton Community Foundation. “He was a friend to Hamilton and to the Hamilton Community Foundation, and he will be missed.”
In addition to his business and philanthropic successes, Fitton was also a patron of the local arts.
“He was incredibly well-respected here for his engagement and passion for the arts,” said Ian MacKenzie-Thurley, executive director of the Fitton Center for Creative Arts. “He was a true patron of the arts and he loved coming to the events here.”
“People respected not just his name, but the man that he was,” he said.
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